The Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks, Parkersburg Lodge 198, was organized on April 11, 1891, with 45 members. By the turn of the 20th century, the membership had surpassed 100 and thoughts turned to constructing a lodge building. An impressive three-storied building was designed by local architect William Howe Patton and constructed on 515 Juliana Street in Parkersburg in 1903. In 1925, the membership hit an all-time high of 1,111 and the lodge’s future looked bright. Unfortunately, with the fast-paced lifestyles of modern families, fewer young adults are joining organizations. Membership to local fraternities dropped drastically in the 1980s and 1990s. The Elks could not keep up with the day-to-day expenses incurred with such a large building. The members of the organization sold the building to the neighboring Parkersburg News & Sentinel. The building was demolished on September 14, 2005, and the space converted for parking.
The demolition photos were taken by the webmaster and local history-buff Glen Fetty.
Image Date: Ca. 1906
There have been several different postcards created of the Elks Club building at 515 Juliana St. This is one of the earliest. It was produced by J.G. Crorey & Co, of New York and was printed in Belguim.
Image Date: Ca. 1910/1911
Stout's Drug Store produced a set of postcards depicting scenes of Parkersburg. The Elks Club was no exception. This hand-tinted postcard postmarked July 1912 shows the front of the building.
Image Date: ca. 1910/1911
Several postcards were created for Stout's Drug Store to sell of the interior rooms of the Elks Club. This view shows the Gentleman's Lounging Room. In later years, photos of past presidents of the organization lined one of the walls of this room.
Image Date: March 2005
Image Date: Sept. 2005
The day prior to demolition the front door and the glass around it were removed. Unfortunately the stone work around the door was not salvaged.
Image Date: Sept 2005
Image Date: Sept. 2005
Image Date: Sept. 2005
An unexpected surprise was found by photographer Glenn Fetty upon reviewing the rubble. Having been unexposed for 102 years, the original handwritten manufacture's name "Schreiber & Sons, Cincinnati O." was found painted on one of the steel beams.
